Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Staal, right, dives for the puck next to Florida Panthers' Tomas Vokoun (29) during the first period of NHL action in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, April 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

(Newser)
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Nathan Horton had a goal and an assist and the Florida Panthers beat Carolina 4-3 to prevent the Hurricanes from clinching the Southeast Division. Radek Dvorak added a goal and an assist, and Jay Bouwmeester and Steve Montador also scored for the Panthers, who snapped a 13-game losing streak at Carolina, winning there for the first time since 2002.

The Hurricanes would have clinched the division with a victory and outshot Florida 46-17 while committing no penalties to the Panthers' nine. Instead for Carolina, it will be a long weekend of scoreboard watching. Washington would clinch the division title by beating Florida on Saturday night. The division goes to the Hurricanes with a Capitals loss in regulation.